Longview, Texas is one of the state’s most notable locations impacted by the Texas oil boom. The city has a population of more than 80,000 and has experienced significant growth in the past few years, which has been attributed in part to major economic sectors like the East Texas Oil Field. Deemed a major hub city for East Texas, and located near Tyler, Longview has been ranked by Forbes magazine as the United States’ sixth-fastest growing small city. Major roadways Interstate 20 and U.S. Highways 80 and 259 run through Longview, converging near the Sabine River.

As with other cities in Texas experiencing economic growth as a result of a boost in oil and gas production, issues that come with an influx of commercial truck travel and fracking activity are present in Longview as well.

“Advanced drilling technology, such as hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” and horizontal drilling are unlocking huge reservoirs of oil previously deemed impossible to reach, doubling the state’s crude oil production the past two years. This year, Texas is projected to produce more than 3 million barrels a day — moving it ahead of Kuwait, Mexico and Iraq to become the eighth-largest oil producer in the world… But for every story of overnight riches, there are tales of the boom’s potentially negative impact: overpowering chemical smells near wells; residents waking up in the middle of the night with headaches or nosebleeds; threats to drinking aquifers; roads banged up by oil trucks and spikes in traffic fatalities.”

The spike in truck accident fatalities throughout Texas has been highlighted in several media reports, including one by the Houston Chronicle, which says that the number of fatalities involving trucks has increased by 50 percent since 2009.

Truck crashes referred to as “triple tragedies” have also reportedly dramatically increased amid the boom, with several of the worst involving fatigued truck drivers and oil field workers who fall asleep at the wheel after working extensive hours without rest. Triple tragedies are accidents that involve three or more deaths. A number of transportation safety advocates have made calls for improved regulation and changes in policies that would help stop the growth in trucking industry related injuries and fatalities overall.

Legal Help for Victims of Longview Truck Accidents

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 300,000 accidents involving large trucks occur annually in the United States. This number includes the thousands of combined truck crashes that occur in Texas cities like Longview each year that are shown to have some connection to the dramatic growth in commercial transportation linked to the state’s oil industry.

For those who have been injured in a related truck crash in Longview and surrounding areas, legal help is available for ensuring that truck drivers and trucking companies that may be responsible for an accident are held accountable. The Eberstein Witherite LLP law firm provides help for injured Longview truck crash victims who are facing financial challenges after being injured or losing a loved one in a truck accident. Those who need assistance can call the firm’s 1-800-TRUCK-WRECK helpline at any time of the day or night for help.